New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-03
HEARING FOR HIGH LICENSE.

Governor Hill has notified the advocates and
opponents Of the High License bill that he will
hear argument on both sides tomorrow (Mon-
day) at p. m. 1t therefore is incumbent upon
all who desire the enactment of the Crosby
bill to sec that they arc properly represented
at this hearing The Citizens Committee on
High License has already arranged to send
delegation to Albany, and other bodies Will be
represented also, but there should he as full a
showing rs possible. for the liquor side VIII be
in force, and nothing should he omitted ny
the friends Of temperance which can contribute
TO strengthen the measure they arc Interested
in 1t ought to bc possible to put TIC need
and the practical usefulness Of the bill SO
clearly and cogcntly before Governor Hi that
Nc will find it very difficult to discover plaus-
ibc prctcxt for refusing to sign it. The nrgu-
mcnts which have convinced the people of
New orlx and Brooklyn of the need of this
legislation, if put with the utmost force. must
render it impossible for him to veto The bill
without virtually confcssing that such a course
is taken out of fear of the liquor interest, and
that this fear is stronger than The Governor :
sense of duty TO the Commonwealth.
TIE presumption is that Mr.. Hill expects the
representatives of the saioOn-mcn 10 furnish
him with reasons sufficient to rest veto upon.
This they cannot do if the friends Of High
License are faithful to their trust. 1t is not
possible for any Executive, however so dis
posed by his personal interests and nominations,
TO give a verdict on behalf Of rum uron an
impartial hearing of both sides. He could
only do so by abandoning all prctcncc OF
equity. and by ccaSing 10 seek any disguise for
his purpose. OF course, it is possible that Coy
ernor Hill is prepared to 90 even this length,
but it cannot be considered probable, since the
Governor at least follows n policy Of what
he thinks expedicncy. and however strong the
rum power may he it is not strong enough to
uphold any politician who deliberately insults
tho people in ministcring to it. If Governor
Hill on the other hand. is looking for reasons
which may Justify his signature of the bill, he
ought to lie furnished abundantly and promptly
with them, and to this end the hearing on Mon
day should be fully attended by the friends
of High License. There is already some ground
for believing that the Governor docs not find
the excuse of especial legislation suill-
GENTLY valid one to base a veto upon. The
Mandamus bill and his action upon it
interfere seriously with such n purpose. in
fact. If the case for the bill is argued fully
he may change his views also as 10 which
course is the better one for himself.
As the case stands he is in a fair way to
bring down upon himself all the olium attach
ing to whoever causes the defeat Of the High
License bill. Even if he sincerely believed
that the bill was not good ono hc would make
it impossible ever to demonstrate It's defects
by vctong it. No matter how poor a measure
NAV be if it docs not become law it viii al
WAYS retain a certain gamOr 1t is like the
people who die young Of whom it may there
after be asserted without fear Of contradiction
that if they had lived they would surely have
accomplished something good. Now by veto.
ing the High-Iiccnsc bill the Governor Is Ger
tain to create for it the impression of an ideally
good and effective law whereas. if he Signs 1t
all. its failings will soon be sped out. his
consideration ought to have weight with the
Executive. notwithstanding the fact that the
friends Of the bill have full confidence III lis
ability to hold its own when enacted. In the
circumstances his determination TO sign II
would be in some sort test of his CONVICTION.
But whether he signs it or refuses to sign 1t.
the side of High License must be presented
before him rs vigorously and ably rs possible
and to that end the strongest delegations should
60 up TO Albany on Monday morning.